Allegorical Expression of Nation Building

The expression of unity within the Israelites faded away by c.a., 6th Century BC, and so the prophet reclaims the message of Unity by the word of God. Ezekiel, the prophet looks forward to unite the Kingdom of Judah and the house of Israel.

Two sticks are allegorically narrated within the text (Ezek.37:15-23), demonstrating two kingdoms that were split. This division for the prophet seems to be a perversion from the word of God. On account of this the role of the prophet to instruct and guide the Israelites with nation building as the focus tries to unify the Kingdoms.

The Textual Impression

The verses 15 to 23 high lights the need for Unity within the tribes of Israel, particularly with the Southern and Northern Kingdom. A far reaching hope in this chapter 37 includes promises of deliverance from exile and restoration of the land.

Prophet Ezekiel points out the divisions of the people of God and pictures them by two sticks (Hez.37:15-20). In one of the stick, he is instructed to write “For Judah, and the Israelites associated with it” and on the other stick “For Joseph (the stick of Ephraim) and all the house of Israel associated with it”.

By this inscription, let the people know that they are divided and when the prophet unites the stick the reminder is that they will be united.

Verse 21 onwards the Prophet reminds the restoration process, particularly for the people of Israel, where they have scattered to different nations. Gathering them from all nations to their own land the Prophet assures full scope of regaining their land. In verse 22 the symbolic nature of one stick and the unification of process reflect with no division of monarchy or two nations. The Prophet had the concern of nation building by uniting both the house of Israel and the Kingdom of Judah. This very concern for nation to stand united was the thrust of the prophet at this stage of the verse. Prophet Ezekiel thus foresee the united phase of Israel to bloom and flourish.

In verse 23, the Prophet says the solution for unity can be attained only by purification effort. This cleansing priestly effort is the only means by which Israel can be united. As far as the prophet suggests that they shall not defile them by false idols and their hateful things. Moreover, instructs them to cleanse them and claim the status of Yahweh’s “my People”.

The Socio-Economic impact of the text:

The economic phase in deportation for the people of Israel was a depended economy that was relied on the captive kingdom. By the end of 6th century BCE the Babylonian economic powers abducted the Israel, in terms of all its resources. Thus Israel and Judah became handicapped within the Babylonian empire.

As the people were hostages of Babylonians they were ruled by the King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE). By this time according to Davis Weisberg , the King was concerned with the city of Babylon and the southern Mesopotamian state of Babylon to the pinnacle of their power and prosperity.

Thus, the economy was more flourishing the Babylonian economy to the heights for which the resources were taken from other economic states, such as those that were captured by them. Under this plunder of wealth by the Babylonians fell the economic strength of both the house of Judah and the house of Israel.

In contrast to the developmental works of the Babylonian Kingdom, the Prophet reunifies the people for an economic revival and reworks for unity, particularly to safeguard the economic status of both the Kingdoms. By this depended economic status the prophetic call to reassure economic prosperity in terms of oneness within the society for revival is noteworthy.

The theological thrust:

The law of Holiness (Lev.17-26) plays an important role within the unification process. To claim the possession of Yahweh of “his people”, the Prophet recommends the state of cleansing one’s life. By this special call towards cleansing oneself, the Prophet refers to the Priestly association.

This association was probably due to the nature of being a Priest or at least the son of a Priest (Ezek.1:3). On account of this Priestly connection the need for a pure heart or a process of cleansing one’s life completely from the evil deeds is the good news the text exposes.

For a reunification process the Prophet sees the need for repentance. To give away the evil practices and united they regain the past glories of the United Kingdom. Though the Prophet suggests the theological theme of “cleanliness”, the thrust of the text is to give away all old evil practices, such as idol worship and other odious practices.

Monotheistic Expression

To prepare the faith in terms of one God, co-relating people to work with unity. Ezekiel attempts both in terms of cleansing, and restoring them within one kingdom, to regain the past glories that they enjoyed when they were worshipping monotheistic deity, Yahweh.

On account of this unification process the people shall live in Unity and worship one God, and be delivered form polytheistic divisions. “They shall never again defile themselves with their idols and their detestable things, or with any of their transgressions.” (Ez.37:23).

The prophet therefore advices the nation to unify in terms of their belief and that will be the start to live united within a secular society. Keeping this monotheistic development in faith, the Prophet believes only the practice of one God will make them more on the development of one nation.

Christological Dimension

The cross of Jesus had two sticks that intertwined to form the persecution sign. Correspondingly, Prophetic allegory of the two sticks by making that into one is a process of unification process. In the same way, the cross of Jesus too is a sign of redemption, a unification sign that invites humanity to live in harmony and peace in Unity.

The New Testament scholar David Joy exposes that Christ works with the redemptive framework of God , with the situations of conflict, struggle and oppression. As the prophet highlights the conflict situation of the people of God; Jesus as a suffering Servant struggles for the well being of the people towards a better nation, for a new world order as cited by Dr. Chandran. With peace and joy, unified with one nation and praising the One God, whom struggles with the people and their livelihood.

On this call for building a nation the Prophet visualizes a peaceful living away from all the oppression and pain. Thus people could live in full freedom and independence to worship their God.

Ecclesiological Vision

The vision of Prophet Ezekiel in terms of one God and one nation has a direct implication to the Church. Church since then on attempts and serves as a platform proclaiming the one God and looks for a new world order .

Within the society we live the Church stands as a proclaiming tool to address all the issues that divide people. To live in harmony and peace with different church groups the vision of the prophet to make us one reminds the struggle of Jesus for the unification process of human kind.

With too many cultures and religious plurality, the Church in the world in terms of its prophetic role embraces every people irrespective of faith, creed, caste, and color leading every nation towards a unique destination. By anxiousness the Church goes ahead paving the way as the community of one Church and one God for a new world order.